Motorcyclist dies after falling into massive sinkhole in Seoul

In a tragic incident on March 24, 2025, a motorcyclist fell into a large sinkhole that opened abruptly on a street in the Gangdong district of Seoul, South Korea, during the evening rush hour. The sinkhole measured roughly 20 meters wide and deep. Rescue efforts began immediately after the accident, with emergency personnel working through the night to locate the victim. Despite the quick response, the man, who was in his 30s, was discovered in cardiac arrest the following morning. His motorcycle and personal belongings, including a mobile phone, were recovered from the debris. Witnesses reported that the sinkhole formed as vehicles were traversing the area, raising concerns about the safety of South Korea's infrastructure. The motorcyclist, who has not been publicly identified, plunged into the hole amidst the chaos, while a nearby van driver narrowly escaped falling into the cavernous opening. The incident attracted significant attention on South Korean social media, leading local emergency services to assess the cause of the sinkhole. Officials highlighted that investigations into the ground's integrity around the site are underway, as such occurrences have become increasingly common in urban settings, with a report indicating 223 sinkholes detected in Seoul over the past decade. Mayor Oh Se-hoon expressed a commitment to addressing these safety concerns, particularly regarding recent heavy rainfall and construction project activities nearby that may have contributed to the incident. The public's reaction has been mixed, with many expressing outrage over the state of city infrastructure and a demand for accountability from officials. As the investigation unfolds, the priority remains to prevent future accidents that could jeopardize the safety of citizens commuting in the bustling city, underscoring a broader issue of maintaining urban transportation infrastructure.